Bank plan coming back to board

Wednesday

Jan 25, 2012 at 12:01 AMJan 26, 2012 at 10:42 AM

By BILL HALL

By BILL HALL

Associate Editor

SWANSEA — An effort to change the traffic pattern for the Citizens Union Bank on Swansea Mall Drive was met with a recommendation by the Planning Board resulting in the applicant to come back to the board on Feb. 6.

Last Wednesday evening, Brian Dunn of MBL Land Development and Permitting Corp. of South Easton, came before the board with a plan to change the current traffic pattern at the former Webster Bank.

Mr. Dunn's plan would have an egress closer to the current entrance off of Swansea Mall Drive and would require a curb cut.

Although the road is considered part of the highway (Route 118), it is under the management of the town and its' Highway Department, resulting in the curb cut and plans coming before the town.

Currently, the bank can be accessed off of Swansea Mall Drive, however, to leave the site to go north on Swansea Mall Drive, the driver has to take a road that goes out to the Swansea Mall where the motorist travels approximately 1,000 feet before going left to leave the mall and make another left to go north on Swansea Mall Drive. Mr. Dunn noted that the bank directors sought to make it easier for the customers to go north without having to go so far to the south.

The plan was opposed by Fire Chief Peter Burke and Director of Highway Services Moe Pukulis. It was noted that the road has a 50 mile an hour speed limit and that those going north out off the property would have to cross over three lanes of traffic.

Reached later, Chief Burke noted that engineering studies were done when the Webster Bank moved in and that it was determined that there would be right turns only.

"The traffic studies said it was too dangerous to have left hand turns without (traffic) lights," said Chief Burke. "All of the places on that side had right hand turns. Oakwood Senior Estates, the medical building, all of them."

The chief added that the area around Toys R Us and Price Rite where traffic does cut across, has been a difficult location.

"We have had a lot of accidents there," he said. "If they are going to change anything, they should have an engineering study done." Planning Board member Robert Medeiros suggested that the plan be revised to have the second egress that currently empties out to the Swansea Mall, instead be shortened and make a curb cut farther south on Swansea Mall Drive. He noted that the cue line would allow for five or six more vehicles. Board member Harold Higgins pointed out that the request is similar to what is happening further south at Price Rite where the traffic leaves out the same way and can go north or south. Mr. Higgins also felt that the speed limit should be reduced, pointing out that 50 miles an hour there "is ridiculous." It was pointed out that changing the speed limit would have to go through the state.

The board members agreed on Mr. Medeiros's suggestion and asked Mr. Dunn to come back with a revised plan.

Mr. Dunn said that he would discuss the issue with his clients and return on Feb. 6.